The waters that surround Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are some of the most pristine and beautiful found anywhere and ideal for Hilton Head Island kayaking, water skiing, surfing and more! Active visitors can enjoy recreational activities both above and below the water's surface. Those with an adventurous spirit can check out spectacular views of the Hilton Head Island beach from high above the water while para-sailing. Water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing and surfing also are available for wind and water enthusiasts. Explore the shoreline by sailing, heading out on Hilton Head dolphin tours or embarking on a sunset cruise for a tour around the island. Hilton Head Island kayaking in the creeks and sounds can bring you into close contact with dolphins and other marine life. The May River provides smooth water for Hilton Head water sports such as water skiing and pleasure cruising, and a para-sail trip above the Calibogue Sound will give you a birds' eye view of the activities at Harbour Town.

The Sea Pines Resort offers three premier courses for unforgettable Hilton Head golf vacations -- each with its own signature character. Experience Harbour Town Golf Links named one of the top 20 courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Weekly, named #14 among America's 100 Greatest courses you can play by Golf Digest, and named #39 in Best 75 golf resorts in North America.

South Carolina National, George Cobb's last creation, showcases all of his design wiles. The layout takes full advantage of Cat Island's densely wooded interior. Centuries-old live oaks, artistically draped with Spanish moss, frame many scenes. Several holes play along the marsh, offering shimmering views of Port Royal Sound.

10-A Grasslawn Ave.
, HIlton Head Island
, South Carolina
29928
United States

The three courses, Brigantine, Clipper and Galleon, offer four tee positions to accommodate all levels of play, and there are ample risk and reward situations to allow optimal scoring opportunities. Accurate tee shots and well-measured approaches are a must on this championship course.

Imagine 54 holes of legendary golf nestled within one of Hilton Head Island's most pristine plantations along the Atlantic coastline. This golf haven, Port Royal Golf Club, was designed by some of the best golf architects - George Cobb, Pete Dye and William Byrd. It has also been honored with the presence of some of golf's legendary players, having hosted the Champions Tour Hilton Head Seniors International.

The 4,053 acre refuge includes Pinckney Island, Corn Island, Big and Little Harry Islands, Buzzard Island and numerous small hammocks. Pinckney is the largest of the islands and the only one open to public use. Nearly 67% of the refuge consists of salt marsh and tidal creeks. A wide variety of land types are found on Pinckney Island alone: salt marsh, forestland, brushland, fallow field and freshwater ponds. In combination, these habitats support a diversity of bird and plant life. Wildlife commonly observed on Pinckney Island include waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, neo-tropical migrants, white-tailed deer and American alligators, with large concentrations of white ibis, herons, and egrets.

These elements have enabled our Hilton Head golf resort to rise above every other golf course destination in the Southeast and made it one of the premier golfing destinations in South Carolina. Palmetto Dunes offers golf vacationers a choice of three superb golf courses, each one unparalleled in design, and yet distinctly different and challenging. Travelers who have enjoyed premier golf vacations at other resorts understand that Palmetto Dunes offers a unique and truly world-class golfing experience.

In the Hilton Head area, Old South Golf Links is regarded by local residents as a favorite year after
year. Since 1992, golfers continue to be attracted to the natural beauty of lowcountry golf, a
Clyde Johnston design. Just over the bridge from Hilton Head Island, vacationers regularly make
the short trip to Bluffton to relax amid towering live oaks and commune with abundant wildlife
along rolling terrain while soaking in magnificent views from the island greens abutting the intercostal waterways.

The area is known as "The First Self-Governed Freedmen’s Town in America" and was originally formed on Hilton Head Island. Before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 and at the height of the Civil War, a group of escaped slaves, considered “contraband of war,” set about forming their own town on the grounds of a former plantation. Rather than one of the more prevalent camps, Union General Ormsby Mitchel created an actual town — with orderly streets, wooden homes, a church, and most importantly, freedom for its inhabitants. The newly minted citizens went about their business with elections, enacting the state’s first compulsory education law for African Americans, collecting taxes, making a living and naming their town “Mitchelville” in honor of the forwardthinking general.

At 7,171 yards, this amazing course is a spectacular blend of championship-level design and natural beauty that will challenge golfers of all skill levels. All tee boxes and fairways feature Paspalum, the newest eco-friendly turf.

Meander the pristine waterways and inlets off Hilton Head Island and the rivers surrounding Bluffton in your personal kayak. Canoe and kayak rentals and instruction are available for those who want to explore the Island’s creeks, marshes and inlets along Calibogue Sound. Outside Hilton Head offers a year-round kayaking school led by an expert staff of ACA Certified instructors, as well as guided tours and day and overnight trips to destinations such as Cumberland and Pritchards Islands. Lucky Hilton Head Island kayaking enthusiasts might even catch a glimpse of a bottle nose dolphin during their ocean outing.

60 Hilton Head National Dr.
, Bluffton
, South Carolina
29910
United States

Hilton Head National opened its doors officially on November 1, 1989. The course is a Gary Player design and incorporates many of Gary's philosophies on golf course layout. Gary stresses that while golf courses should be challenging, they should not punish unduly. Hilton Head National is indeed, Gary Player's kind of golf. First, there's lots of it, 18-holes in two unique, yet equally challenging nines.

You'll find some of the best hiking in South Carolina on designated paths on the Island bordered by plants, wild animals and marshlands. Each trail leads to a point of interest on the Island. Explore trails from sunrise to sunset. Or, cross the bridge to the Main Trail on Pinckney Island. The 3.5 mile trail is completely bordered by water and watched over by dolphins and alligators. Birds and foliage spill onto the trail in some places making the experience even more spectacular. All trails are suitable for walking or careful biking.

11 Lighthouse Lane
, HIlton Head Island
, South Carolina
29928
United States

Play in the footsteps of legends. Reserve a round on The Sea Pines Resort's world-famous Harbour Town Golf Links. Home to the The Heritage Tournament , this distinguished PGA TOUR golf course places a premium on finesse, imagination, and shot-making rather than strength. Put your game to the ultimate test -- against a collection of par-threes ranking among the world's finest and a par-four 18th hole considered one of the most feared in all of golf, particularly when the wind is blowing off Calibogue Sound.

This Nicklaus-designed golf course has quickly earned a name for itself as one of the top-rated layouts on an island of top-flight designs. Ever-present water and sand keep play interesting, but never penalizing...golfers will find the course puts a premium on strategy and finesse, rather than sheer power. Winding through a beautiful landscape of oak and pine woodlands, the Golden Bear is a fitting complement to the prestigious residential community of Indigo Run.

Ocean Creek Golf Club, designed by PGA Champion Davis Love III and Paul Cowley was opened in 1995. Incorporating sweeping views of salt water marshes, fresh water lagoons, lush jungle vegetation and four distinctive rolling dune ridges, this beautiful course is 6,613 total yards and a par 71.

In the days before the Civil War, brick forts were America's main defense against overseas enemies. In one two-day battle during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority to brick forts. The Union army used rifled cannons to compel a surrender by Confederates inside Fort Pulaski. No one ever built a brick fort again after the battle.

An earthworks garrison constructed in 1864 by the newly emancipated men of the 32nd U.S. Colored Infantry Volunteers, protected the town’s growing population of 1,500. Today, more than 150 years after the Civil War began, local Gullah, direct descendents of Mitchelville, carry on the traditions of their history-making ancestors and work with a diverse group of Islanders to preserve and promote Mitchelville and its story of freedom.

The loggerhead turtle, an endangered species, nests extensively along Hilton Head Island’s 12 miles of wide, sandy beaches. Few visitors ever meet these 200 pound giants, for the turtles choose the darkest hours of the summer night to crawl ashore and bury eggs in the soft sand. If a visitor happens to spot one of these wondrous creatures, they are advised not to interact with the turtle in any way. These rare animals, some almost a century old, must be allowed to lay their eggs to help ensure the survival of the species. Anyone who is lucky enough to witness this extraordinary sight is advised to mark the spot after the eggs are covered and inform the local Wildlife Department through the wild life hotline at 1-800-922-5431. Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island offers a late night Turtle Watch for visitors who are interested in observing the habits of the loggerhead turtle.

Eagle's Pointe opened in 1998 and has quickly become one of the most popular "off-island" courses with both local golfers, as well as tourists. Designed by Davis Love III, Eagle's Pointe was engineered and constructed as one of the most environmentally compliant golf courses in Beaufort County and Bluffton.

The golf course is situated on a spectacular piece of property that highlights the beauty of the Lowcountry. It's Arnie's only public-access course in the Hilton Head area, and it's pure Palmer, with generous fairways, but challenging approaches to its many elevated, undulating greens. Four unique par 3s await and the three par 5s are all birdie holes, but all feature over-the-water carries to do it.

This Rees Jones designed masterpiece gently meanders through pristine marshland and pine forests along the Intracoastal Waterway, providing a variety of holes that will challenge golfers of all levels. This course has proudly hosted the U.S. Open Qualifier. With 14 doglegs and water on 16 holes, playing the Country Club of Hilton Head is an experience not to be missed.

A stellar showcase of the history and ecology of Hilton Head Island is on display daily at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Featuring programs, displays, tours and activities year round, the museum is a fantastic way to become familiar with the story of Hilton Head Island and the majesty of its environment.

Bask in over twelve miles of sparkling sand beaches on Hilton Head Island. Walk the flat sand banks of the Atlantic Ocean or wade in the surf. Hide in the rolling dunes and natural grasses on one of the best beaches in South Carolina or gaze towards the clouds to admire kite tricks and parasailing - it's what makes Hilton Head Island one of the most relaxing vacation spots anywhere.

All of the Hilton Head Island beach is public, from the ocean to the high water mark. Access to the beach, however, is often private. The Town of Hilton Head Island beach access is provided at the following locations: Alder Lane Beach Access, off South Forest Beach Drive; Coligny Beach Park, off Coligny Circle; Fish Haul Park, at the end of Beach City Road; Driessen Beach Park, at the end of Bradley Beach Road; Burkes Beach Access, at the end of Burkes Beach Road; Folly Field Beach Park, off Folly Field Road; and Islanders Beach Park, off Folly Field Road.

The following Hilton Head beaches are equipped with the mats that make them wheelchair accessible: Alder Lane Beach, Coligny Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park, and Islanders Beach Park.

Located just off Palmetto Bay Road, this Hilton Head nature preserve covers about 50 acres on the southern end of Hilton Head Island. There are several walking trails that lead through a wide variety of trees and shrubs. A particularly interesting feature is a wetlands bog that is a common characteristic of Lowcountry barrier islands. It’s a great habitat for birds and other wildlife. The preserve is open dawn to dusk and several parking spaces are available inside the entrance. There is a kiosk with information about the preserve and trail maps near the parking area.